Victoria Station (British Columbia)

Victoria station was a railway station in Victoria, British Columbia, on the east end of the Johnson Street Bridge. The station opened in 1888, and was the southern terminus for Via Rail's Dayliner service which operated until 2011. The station closed on August 12, 2011.

Victoria
The 1980s era station in 2011
General information
Location450 Pandora Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
Coordinates48°25′42″N 123°22′14″W / 48.4283°N 123.3706°W / 48.4283; -123.3706
Platforms1
Tracks1
Construction
Structure typeTrain station
ParkingYes
Bicycle facilitiesNo
AccessibleYes
Other information
StatusClosed
History
Opened1888
ClosedAugust 12, 2011
Former services
Preceding station Via Rail Following station
Esquimalt
toward Courtenay
Victoria–Courtenay Terminus
Preceding station Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Following station
Russells
toward Courtenay
Main Line Terminus
Map
Location
Victoria station is located in British Columbia
Victoria station
Victoria station
Location in British Columbia
Victoria station is located in Canada
Victoria station
Victoria station
Location in Canada

History

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In 1886, the E&N Railway began operating from Esquimalt to Nanaimo.[1] The station opened in 1888, following an extension from Esquimalt station to the station site.

In 1905, the E&N Railway was sold to the Canadian Pacific Railway.[2] In 1979, Via Rail took over operation of the passenger services of CPR. The former station building was built in the 1980s.[3]

Closure

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Suspension of service

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On March 19, 2011, Via Rail suspended service indefinitely due to poor track conditions and replaced it with a bus service. Eventually, on August 12, 2011, bus service ended and the station closed.[4]

Bridge replacement

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As part of the Johnson Street Bridge replacement project, the rail bridge across the Inner Harbour was removed and the station dismantled. The station roof was eventually salvaged by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority in 2012.[3]

Timeline

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  • 1905: E&N Railway sold to the CPR.[2]
  • March 19, 2011: Victoria–Courtenay service suspended.
  • March 31, 2011: The rail portion of the bridge was closed.
  • August 12, 2011: Temporary bus replacement discontinued, station officially closed.[5]
  • 2012: Station is dismantled for construction nearby and the Johnson Street Bridge project.

References

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  1. ^ Canadian Railroad Historical Association
  2. ^ a b BC Archives: Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway
  3. ^ a b "Victoria rail station roof salvaged for future project". Victoria News. 2012-12-04. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  4. ^ "Old Canadian Train Stations, British columbia and the Territories". yourrailwaypictures.com. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  5. ^ "Via Rail closing Victoria station". Times Colonist. August 11, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
 
An old Budd Rail Diesel Car at the site of the station in 1969
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